Keen on exploring things to do in Chiang Mai and wanting to stretch your baht longer, here’s the best things to do in Chiang Mai on a budget.
Chiang Mai is one of the budget-friendly places in Thailand. Therefore, the best things to do are relatively at low cost or free. However, you’d need to know where to find them!
Streets of Chiang Mai
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Things to Do in Chiang Mai: On a Budget
Run along the Chiang Mai Old City Wall & Gate
Cost: Free
Traveller type: Active travellers
The best time for a run is in the morning before the sun gets too hot and the air gets less fresh.
A loop along the Chiang Mai Old City Wall is approximately 6.5km (4 miles). During this run, you’d discover the various Chiang Mai Gates and local Thais selling local street food.
Throughout the run, you’d be running on the pedestrian pavement, so it is an easy run that need not require you to watch out for traffic much!
Morning run along Chiang Mai Old City Wall
Enjoying a hidden cafe ambience
Cost: free until you purchase a coffee or cake
Traveller type: Cafe hoppers
Chiang Mai has plenty of cafes, so you will never run out of cafes to explore and find one that vibes with you.
My favourite cafes:
- Fern Forest Cafe – nature-filled cafe in Chiang Mai’s old city
- Coffee Telling – the best coffee shop that doesn’t charge you extra for swapping to a diary-free milk!
- Werb Haus Coffee – hidden gem with great ambience, highly suitable for a very focused job on your laptop
Enjoying a coffee at Fern Forest Cafe
Chiang Mai’s Temple Hopping Experience
Cost: free entrance
Traveller type: Cultural travellers
Thailand is rich in Buddhist culture. Chiang Mai has more than 300 Buddhist temples that keep you fascinated and marvelled by the intricate architecture.
“Wat” means temple in Thai. Below is a handful of temples I found unique. However, if you’d like to explore more temples, type “wat” in the Google Maps search bar, and you’d find plenty of temples around you.
The best time to visit is in the late morning to early afternoon to avoid the crowd. Remember to dress politely with covered shoulders and legs to respect the Buddhist culture.
Temples within Chiang Mai’s Old City Gates
- Wat Phra Singh – an active monastery, allowing you to observe the monk’s activities
- Wat Chedi Luang – beautiful life-sized elephant sculptures carved in stone on the structure. Participate in the “Monk Chat” program to learn more about Buddhism and Thai Culture
- Wat Lok Moli – less touristy compared to the other temples, offering a peaceful experience. Observe the beautiful dark teakwood features at the front entrance
Checking out one of the temples
Temples outside Chiang Mai’s Old City Gates
- Wat Pha Lat – located at the lower slopes of Doi Suthep, and is a short hike from Chiang Mai. The temple is accessible via the Monk’s Trail and takes 30-45 minutes.
Visiting this temple gives you a lovely view of Chiang Mai and you’d be able to fully observe the monk’s daily ritual.
On the day of my visit, I also saw a group of university students immersed in nature, sketching and painting as part of their art project.
- Wat Phra That Doi Suthep – Chiang Mai’s most iconic temple at 1050m (3445ft) above sea level on Doi Suthep.
From the top, enjoy the panoramic view over Chiang Mai city and forested view at the valley below.
Consider joining a tour to reduce the hassle of planning transportation and to meet other fellow travellers.
I recommend this tour hosted by Trip Guru, as their trip is very well-organised.
University students were doing some sketching at Wat Pha Lat
Conversations with Monks
Cost: free
Traveller type: Cultural travellers
Chatting with the locals is the best way to learn more about the local culture and practices.
At some temples, there is a “monk chat” program. This program is organised by the MCU Buddhist University.
This program is hosted as an informal roundtable discussion. Young monks, accompanied by their teachers, will be present during the conversation. This is to help build confidence as young monks practice conversational English.
Where these conversations are held:
- Wat Chedi Luang – daily at 9am – 6pm, most abundant on Saturdays and Sunday mornings
- Wat Doi Suthep – daily 1am – 3pm
- Wat Suan Dok – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 5pm – 7pm
- MCU Buddhist University, Chiang Mai Campus – Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 5pm – 7.30pm
Monks practicing their spirituatlity
Related Posts while Travelling in South East Asia:
Visit to Art Villages
Cost: free entrance with minimal cost to travel, and until you purchase an artist’s handicraft
Traveller type: Art enthusiast
Check out these Art Villages! I loved them and the vibe of the area. I spent the entire afternoon exploring the art village and taking in all the artwork from local artists.
Kalm Village – this vibrant art and culture village is located in Old City and easily accessible on foot. There are multiple galleries and various exhibitions throughout the year.
Each corner of the structure has its purpose – a coffee shop, a restaurant, a library, and a gallery.
One of the corners at Kalm Village
Baan Kang Wat – an enchanting arts and crafts village at the foothill of Doi Suthep. This village is home to artist-run shops and various hands-on workshops. Hands-on workshop includes jewellery-making, pottery, candle-making, and notebook binding.
On Sunday mornings, the village hosts a farmers’ market selling various local produce.
There is also a quaint cafe serving various Thai-style dishes and drinks to fill you up.
Jing Jai Market – an outdoor market selling a variety of handicrafts and many local pop-up stores. There are stalls selling some local delicacies in small portions, which are just right for snacking.
This market is only open on weekends and recommended to come early in the morning when there is less crowd.
Coconut market – an aesthetic, Instagrammable outdoor market that sells a variety of home items. If you are looking to decorate your home, consider dropping by Coconut Market to purchase some unique trinkets.
Coconut Market before the crowd builds up
Check Out One Nimman
Cost: Free entrance
Traveller type: boutique & artsy travellers, casual diners
One Nimman is a shopping mall with a unique Lanna-style architecture and modern design. There are over 30 shops selling everything from indie fashion to handicrafts to souvenirs.
Many casual dining places for a nice solo meal or a date night.
To have the best experience, visit on a weekend to experience the live performance and the outdoor food market.
Experience Chiang Mai’s “Green Lung”
Cost: free entrance
Traveller type: everyone
I’m sure you’re curious what does it mean by Chiang Mai’s “Green Lung”. This park is a tranquil urban escape in Chiang Mai’s old city.
The park is called Buak Hard Public Park and is located in the southwest corner of the old city.
There is an outdoor gym for public use. In the early mornings and late evenings, join the free group yoga or tai chi lessons. If you do not have yoga mat, bamboo mats are available for rent at 20THB (USD 0.60).
Morning at Chiang Mai’s “Green Lung” . Photo credit: Ken Dunlop
Enjoy Thailand’s Food Paradise
Cost: free until you purchase a drink or snack
Traveller type: food enthusiast and everyone
What’s a trip to Thailand without enjoying the local street food and night markets!
There is plenty of local street food for you to try, all for less than 200THB (USD 6) per bowl.
Enjoying the food at the night market
Here’s my recommendation of the street food you must try:
- Khao Soi: northern Thai curry noodles soup in soft and crispy egg noodles
- Moo Ping: grilled pork skewers
- Som Tam: sour spicy shredded papaya salad with chilli dips
- Kanom Jeem Nam Ngiao: tangy, spicy tomato pork noodles soup
- Coconut pancakes: crispy on the outside, soft on the inside
- Grilled sticky rice skewers
- Coconut ice cream
Enjoying my last Khao Soi before leaving Chiang Mai
Best Night Market to Visit:
- Sunday Walking Street at Ratchadamnoen Road: opens Sunday evenings
- Saturday Walking Street at Wualai Road: opens Saturday evenings
- North Gate (Chang Phueak) Night Market: opens every evening
Experience Sticky Waterfall
Cost: free entrance
Traveller type: adventurous
This is not entirely free, as you will need to pay for a Grab or rent a scooter to arrive at Sticky Waterfall. Sticky Waterfall is located approximately 1 hour away from Chiang Mai Old City.
Sticky Waterfall is not just a waterfall. You can spend the full day there!
There are many activities to do at Sticky Waterfall:
- Climb sticky waterfall
- Soak in the hotsprings
- Explore beautiful temples
Sticky Waterfalls. Photo credit: สุรวิทย์ วรรณชาติ
When to go to Chiang Mai
The best weather to visit Chiang Mai is between October to February. The weather is cooling and less humid, which makes it comfortable to stay outdoors.
Avoid February to March as this is the burning season. Farmers will be clearing agricultural waste in their farming lands, resulting in poor air quality.
How to go to Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand. With that said, Chiang Mai is easily connected.
Chiang Mai has an international airport and is located approximately 5km (3.1miles) from Chiang Mai Old City.
Trains – the cheapest and most convenient mode of transport via land. Tickets can be booked via SRT D-Ticket App, easily found on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The journey takes approximately 12 hours.
Bus – an alternative option for travelling on land. The journey takes approximately 12 hours, subject to road traffic conditions.
Flight – the quickest way from Bangkok and the most expensive mode of travel
Street food in Chiang Mai
Staying connected in Thailand
Family and friends are concerned for your safety and would like to know your whereabouts.
Purchasing an eSIM via Airalo is the easiest option. You get 5% cashback for every purchase.
Use this referral code (JOYCE1536) for USD3 for your first purchase.
Things to Do in Chiang Mai: On a Budget
And, there you have it – the best things to do in Chiang Mai on a budget or for free.
While Chiang Mai is already a relatively budget-friendly location, I recognise that some travellers still opt for spending minimal on things to do in the city.
This best things to do in Chiang Mai guide is designed just for you!